CYPRUS
Entry Requirements
Travelling Documents
Travelling to Cyprus is very easy, similarly to any EU country. The documentation required varies depending on your nationality. A valid passport is required for a stay of up to 90 days for all bonafide tourists except citizens of European Union countries, Switzerland , Iceland , Liechtenstein and Norway, who may enter Cyprus with their national identity card provided it bears a photo. Some non-EU third country nationals require a visa. Further, detailed information can be obtained from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.Legal Points of Entry
The legal ports of entry into the Republic of Cyprus are the airports of Larnaka and Pafos and the ports of Larnaka, Lemesos (Limassol), Latsi and Pafos, which are situated in the area under the effective control of the Government of the Republic of Cyprus. Entry into the territory of the Republic of Cyprus via any other port or airport, in which the Government of the Republic does not exercise effective control (Turkish occupied areas), is illegal.Diplomatic Missions of the Republic of Cyprus Abroad
Detailed information concerning Cyprus’ Embassies and High Commissions abroad can be obtained from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Importing Products
Every person entering Cyprus is entitled to import the following duty-free articles (not intended for commercial purposes), provided they are carried in the passengers’ hand luggage or accompanying baggage:
Tobacco
- 800 cigarettes
- 400 cigarillos
- 200 cigars
- 1kg of tobacco
Alcohol
- 10 litres of spirits
- 20 litres fortified wine, (such as port or sherry)
- 90 litres of wine (of which, a maximum 60 litres is sparkling wine)
- 110 litres of beer
Language and Religion
Languages
Greek and English are the main languages spoken by the Greek-Cypriot community. Russian, French and German are also well spoken within the tourist industry.Religions
Cyprus enjoys an exceedingly high level of freedom of worship. While the majority of Greek-Cypriots are Greek-Orthodox Christians, other denominations are represented on the island, including Armenians, Maronites and Roman Catholics.The Turkish-Cypriot community is predominantly Muslim.Money and Currency
Currency
Currency Exchange
All banks operating in Cyprus offer foreign currency exchange services and quote the exchange rates of the Euro against all major foreign currencies daily. Foreign currency can also be exchanged at hotels. More detailed information concerning exchange rates can be obtained from the Central Bank of Cyprus. You can also use the currency converter.
Forms of Payment
Hotels, large shops and restaurants accept credit cards, travellers’ cheques, Eurocheques and banknotes of major foreign currencies.
Tipping
Since a 10% service charge is levied in hotels and restaurants, tipping is not obligatory but is always welcome and appreciated.
V.A.T. Refund
- Foreign visitors from countries outside the EU can claim back V.A.T. on goods exported in their hand luggage. Visitors are eligible for a V.A.T. refund if:
- They are not holders of a passport or other form of identification from an EU Member State.
- They have not resided in Cyprus for more than 365 days in the two years immediately prior to the date of purchase of the goods,
- The total purchased from one store or a chain or stores is more than 171 Euros and below 17 100 Euros,
- The goods are exported in visitors’ hand luggage by the last day of the third month following the month in which the goods were purchased.
In order to claim your V.A.T. refund you will have to:
- Make your purchases from shops that display a tax-free shopping sign and simply ask for your tax-free document.
- When leaving Cyprus show your purchases and passport to customs officials and have your tax-free document stamped.
- Receive your refund by the method of your choice.
More detailed information can be obtained from the V.A.T. Service of the Customs and Excise Department
Holiday Budget
- A single bus ticket costs around € 1:50
- A glass of beer costs between € 3.50 and € 5
- A ticket to the cinema costs around € 8 for adults and €5 for children
- A ticket to the theatre costs between € 5 and € 25
- A ticket to a concert or opera can cost between € 10 and € 77
- Continental breakfast costs between € 3.40 and € 6
- Lunch – a fixed menu costs between € 10 and € 13.50
- Dinner at a local tavern (meze, including beer or cold drink) costs around € 20
Health and Safety
Driving in Cyprus
Driving in Cyprus can be enjoyable and, in some cases, essential as regular public transport services to remote areas of interest are not always available. The minimum driving age is 18. To rent a car, drivers must have been in possession of a driving licence for at least three years or be aged over 25. Visitors may drive using a valid international driving licence or their national driving licence, provided it is valid for the class of vehicle they wish to drive. Fairly good surfaced roads, complying with international traffic requirements, link cities and villages. Four-lane motorways connect the capital, Lefkosia (Nicosia) with the coastal cities of Lemesos (Limassol), Larnaka and Pafos. Minor roads and forest roads are, for the most part, unsurfaced but in good condition. Drivers should note that driving is on the left-hand side of the road, not on the right. All the international road traffic signs are in use and placed on the left-hand side of roads and highways. Distances and speed limits are posted in kilometres and kilometre/per hour (km/h) respectively. The maximum speed limit on motorways is 100 km/h and the minimum is 65 km/h. The use of seatbelts is compulsory both in the front and back, while the use of mobile phones is strictly prohibited while driving. It is an offence to drive a motor vehicle or a pedal bicycle when under the influence of alcohol. The legal limit in breath is 9 micrograms of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath. The legal limit in blood is 20 milligrams of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood. Rush hours in the cities are approximately between 07:30 – 08:00 and 13:00 – 13:30 and in late afternoon 17:00 – 18:00 in winter or 18:00 – 19:00 in summer.Health Care System
Medical treatment and assistance in Cyprus, in cases of emergency, is offered free of charge to international tourists at the Accident and Emergency Departments of Government Hospitals and Health Institutions. EU citizens must produce an E111 form issued by their country’s health care authorities. Holiday makers can also use their health insurance towards their medical expenses, provided the policy covers the length of their stay on the island. More detailed information can be obtained from the Cyprus Ministry of Health.Vaccinations
Cyprus has no dangerous infectious diseases. Visitors do not require any vaccinations to travel to Cyprus.Safety in Cyprus
Cyprus has an excellent reputation for being a safe and friendly place. You can help us keep it that way. A few basic precautions can be enough to protect your belongings.Foreign Diplomatic Missions in Cyprus
Detailed information concerning foreign Embassies and High Commissions in Cyprus can be obtained from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Pharmacies and Medications
Medicine can be purchased at pharmacies on presentation of a doctor’s prescription. Almost all brands of medicine are available in Cyprus. Pharmacies are all marked with a green cross.
Emergency Numbers
In case of emergency call 112 wherever you are on the island.
Transportation
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Buses
There are three types of buses in Cyprus that can help you move around:
- Intercity buses that link all towns on a daily basis and with frequent routes
- Rural buses that link almost all villages with the nearest city but with limited frequency: once or twice daily except Sundays.
- Urban buses that link different areas within the cities and operate frequently during daytime. In certain tourist areas, during the summer period, their routes are extended till late in the evening.
Taxis
There are three types of taxi service available, covering the entire island:
- Transurban service which offers the opportunity to share a taxi with 4 – 7 other passengers. It provides connection between all major cities of Cyprus, every half an hour, from Monday to Friday starting at 06:00 in the morning until 18:00 in the evening. On Saturdays and Sundays the service finishes an hour earlier at 17:00. Seats can be booked by phone or online from the providing companies.
- Rural service operates in village areas and can only be hired from and to their base station. These taxis are not equipped with taximeters and charging is based on kilometre/tariff rate.
- Urban service is a 24-hour service provided in all cities. Taxis can be booked or hired on the street. Urban taxis are provided by law with taximetres and charging commences upon the entry of a passenger to the taxi.
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Cruises
Communications
Making Phone Calls
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In order to make a phone call to Cyprus from abroad, dial 00357 and then the eight-digit phone number.
If you wish to make a phone call abroad while in Cyprus , dial 00, followed by the country code and the telephone number. International calls can be made from public telephones available at various central locations in all cities and villages, as well as at international airports, harbours and elsewhere. There are three types of public telephones – coin phones, outdoor card phones and indoor card phones. Public payphones can be used for both national and international calls. Dialling instructions as well as rates are displayed in all payphones.
You can send your letters from Post Offices, located throughout the island and at the airports, or using the yellow mailboxes on the street. Stamps may be purchased from all Post Offices, Postal Agencies, as well as from many hotels, news stands, kiosks, etc. Post offices offer other services, including courier service (data post), money orders, parcel post, etc.
Sending Letters, Parcels
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Internet Connection
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Most establishments offer free wireless internet connection of various speeds and types. Some beaches are also covered by free wifi.
Climate and Weather
General Overview
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Cyprus enjoys an intense Mediterranean climate of hot dry summers starting in mid-May and lasting until mid-September and rainy, quite mild winters from November to mid-March. Spring and Autumn are effectively short intervals in between, characterised by smooth weather. With almost year-round clear skies and sunshine, daylight length ranges from 9.8 hours in December to 14.5 hours in June.
In broad lines, Cyprus’ climate is characterised by hot summers and mild winters. There is a significant seasonal difference between mid-summer and mid-winter temperatures that ranges from 18° C inland to about 14° C on the coast. The difference in daily maximum and night minimum temperatures is also quite significant. In winter they range from 8° to 10° C in the lowlands and 5° to 6° C in the mountains and in summer from 16° C on the central plain and 9° to 12° C elsewhere.
Daily temperatures during the hottest months of July and August, range between 29° C on the central plain and 22° C in the Troodos Mountains . The average maximum temperatures for these two months range between 36° C and 27° C. In January, the coolest month, the indicative daily temperature is 10° C on the central plain and 3° C in the higher parts of the Troodos Mountains while the average minimum temperatures are 5° C and 0° C.
Average Temperatures
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Sea Temperatures
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The temperature of the open sea hovers above 22° C from June to November, climbing to 27° C in August. Even during the three coolest months of January to March, average sea temperature are an acceptable 16° or 17° C. Near the coast, the temperature of water three or four metres deep is similar to that of the open sea, ranging from 15° to 17°C in February and from 23° to 28° C in August. There are no significant daily fluctuations in sea water temperatures, except in very shallow waters less than one metre deep.
During the day in winter, and at night throughout the year, humidity ranges from average to quite high (65% – 95%). During summer it is very low near midday, ranging from 15% to 30% on the central plain. Fog is rare and typically occurs in the early morning. Visibility is normally very good or excellent. There is an exception during a few days in spring when the atmosphere is very hazy due to dust from the Arabian and African deserts.
Air Humidity
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Sunshine
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Cyprus enjoys a very sunny climate compared with most countries, with 11.5 hours of bright sunshine per day over the six summer months. Even during the months of December and January, there is 5.5 hours of sunshine.
Winds over the island are generally variable in direction and strength, depending on the elevation of the land and local temperatures. Winds over the six summer months are rarely strong.
Winds
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Clothing During Different Seasons
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Clothing requirements vary, depending on the length and the period of your visit. During April and May, days are pleasantly warm but temperatures may drop at night. Spring and summer apparel and long sleeved tops or light jackets for the evenings are recommended. From June to the end of August, very light summer clothing is a must. September to October sees quite a few warm days and cool evenings. Light apparel for the day and long sleeves for the evenings in October is recommended. November has pleasantly warm days that can be enjoyed in jumpers and light jackets.
December and January will be the only winter you will get, even though it feels more like autumn for most visitors. It may rain occasionally, yet the promise of glorious sunshine is still there. Winter clothing is necessary, but not heavy coats. The possibility of fairly warm days is always there during February, as is the occasional rainfall. Mild daytime temperatures are the harbingers of spring but it can get quite cold in the evenings and winter apparel will be needed. Winter wear will also be appropriate during March with its moderate, but sometimes unpredictable, weather inviting you to enjoy Cyprus nature at its best.
Other Practical Info
Drinking Age Limit
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The legal drinking age in Cyprus is 18. Drivers should exercise due care over the amount of alcohol consumed. The legal limit in breath is 9 micrograms of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath. The legal limit in blood is 20 milligrams of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood.
Water is safe to drink in Cyprus. Water pollution is negligible and every home has fresh running drinking water. Tap water in hotels, restaurants, public premises, etc., is also safe to drink.
Tap Water
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Electricity
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The electricity supply in Cyprus is 230 volts, a.c. 50 Hz. Sockets are usually 13 amp, square pin in most buildings. More than one low current rating appliance may be operated from the same supply point by using an adaptor (i.e. radios, electric clocks etc.). The use of adaptors for operating high current rating appliances is not recommended (i.e. electric heaters, toasters, irons etc.). Many hotels provide adaptors upon request from the reception. Adaptors can be purchased from electricians, supermarkets, grocery shops, etc.
Cyprus uses the metric system of weights and measures. Temperatures are reported in degrees Celsius, petrol is sold by the litre, grocery items are in grams and kilograms, fabric lengths in metres, and road speeds and distances posted in kilometres.
Measurement System
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Working in Cyprus
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The employment of European citizens is regulated by the “Law on Free Movement and Residence of Nationals of the Member States of the European Union and their Families”. Some professions are regulated by local legislation setting out the qualifications and procedures needed to acquire the right to pursue a specific profession. The employment of non-European citizens is subject to the approval of the Department of Labour, which examines applications submitted by employers seeking to hire foreigners in order to meet pressing, short-term needs in the labour market in certain economic fields and occupations.
Further detailed information can be obtained from the Ministry of Labour and Social Insurance.